Alabama has received $4 million from the federal government to start and expand mental health services at seven health centers across the state.
The grants, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are intended to provide treatment to people with substance use disorders. The funds were provided to community health centers that treat patients who are “uninsured, underinsured, or on Medicaid,” according to a statement from the department.
“Treatment for mental health and substance use disorders is a critical component of primary care, and there should be no false starts for families to get the behavioral health care they need,” Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Carol Johnson said in a statement.
A 2024 Mental Health America report found that the majority of people with substance use disorders in the United States do not receive treatment. The state of mental health in America 2024One in five young people has experienced at least one major depression episode in the past year, more than half of them are untreated, and 10% of adults with mental illness are uninsured.
In Alabama, 41% of adults sought medical treatment for a mental health issue between 2017 and 2019. According to the 2020 State Health AssessmentMental health and substance abuse Ranked #1 in Health Indicators in the StateIn other words, residents and organizations deemed this the most important health issue in Alabama.
“Access to behavioral health care is critical for communities of color and underserved groups,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “This funding will expand access to critical behavioral health services that benefit entire communities.”
The community health centers that received funding are:
- Huntsville AIDS Action Coalition, $493,784
- Alabama Community Health Services (Birmingham), $600,000
- AltaPointe Health Systems (Mobile), $600,000
- Cahaba Medical Foundation (Centerville), $600,000
- Capstone Health (Parish), $600,000
- Franklin Primary Health Center (Mobile), $600,000
- Rural Health Care Program (Selma), $600,000
